In comparison to Michael and Evelyn, Bob had slightly better vision in the dark.

It didn’t allow him to see things in the dark but he could pinpoint silhouettes and moving creatures better. But after their last visit to the brine caves, Bob has been wondering if Michael’s night vision was getting better.

As his surroundings slowly become dark, Bob starts to rely more on his hearing. He started to feel afraid, something he regularly felt when Michael or Evelyn was in danger. To counter this, Bob thought of Michael’s satisfied look.

Michael’s happiness was Bob’s goal. If he found a psion stone, Michael would feel extra happy thus Bob would feel happier.

As he continues to traverse the cave, Bob starts to see some weak light from the distance.

Ooooh.

Bob made light monkey noises which signified his excitement. He quickly covers his mouth. He remembers the time he scolded Evelyn for being noisy. It was hypocritical but Bob didn’t understand what that means so now, he just feels stupid.

The light becomes slowly stronger as Bob moves forward. The light becomes brighter and Bob sees the source of the light.

Bob sees a cavern full of giant luminescent rocks attached to the ceiling, walls, and floor.

Looking around, Bob notices that he is on top of a cliff overlooking a large underground basin. Turning to the side, Bob sees a natural path that leads downward.

~Hiss~

Bob quickly looks around when he hears a terrifying sound.

A black snake bares its teeth then it strikes Bob.

Used to danger, Bob dodges the snake’s attack. Despite missing its mark, the snake’s attack sound already alerted its surroundings and Bob sees at least four more snakes slithering toward him.

Bob bares his teeth and wields his knife.

~Hiss!!!~

Bob quickly gets surrounded by five snakes.

He swings his knife in front of him which causes the snake to back away a bit.

~Hiss!~

There was a tense standoff between Bob and the snakes.

Then a snake lunged forward.

Bob dodges backward as a snake almost pierces his body with its poison-tipped fangs. As he dodges away, Bob immediately swings his knife which strikes the snake's neck. It hisses in pain as it starts to drown in its own blood.

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The remaining snakes hiss and dash forward in a vain effort to try and strike down the agile monkey.

Bob swings his knife in a wide arc while moving backward which clips the eye of one of the snakes.

With one of the snakes already wounded and another dead in its own blood, Bob seems to scare the remaining serpents.

Another tense standoff occurs.

Bob breaks the tension by screeching which sends the snakes slithering away.

He breathes a bit easier when the immediate danger is gone.

Once Bob feels that he is no longer in any immediate danger, he looks around to survey the area. Despite the giant glowing rocks embedded in the walls and ceiling, Bob doesn't see any psion stones.

He frowns and scratches his head.

Bob is starting to think if he should continue or go out. He wanted Michael to be happy but Bob knew that Michael wouldn't want him to be in danger.

After a bit of thinking, Bob decides to continue.

Bob turns his eyes toward the path leading deeper into the cavern. Still holding his trusty dagger, Bob slowly makes his way down.

The little monkey looked for signs of more snakes but luckily enough, Bob did not see anymore, at least for now.

As he makes his way deeper into the cavern, Bob notices that more glowing crystals are appearing.

He can't help but smile as he finds the light very comfortable. It was better compared to being in the dark.

As he goes deeper into the cave, Bob sees more of the shiny rocks that he likes. He takes them so he can later add them to his collection.

He still hasn’t found a psion stone.

Once deeper, Bob finds another small group of black snakes. They see him but instead of hissing, they only look at him with curiosity. Bob feels weirded out by the lack of aggression.

He raises his knife to see if they would react but the group of snakes only tilt their heads.

Bob thinks to himself.

Weird.

When he thinks, Bob hears a voice inside his head.

What is weird?

Bob quickly looks around and responds with a panicked thought.

Huh! Who's that?!

The other voice responds immediately.

We are.

Bob looks at the snakes.

Are you… the snakes??

The snakes look at each other and then back at Bob.

Snakes… we do not know this word but you use it to describe us… so we are indeed snakes…

Bob tilts his head to the right which the snakes mimic.

Are you all talking to me? Or is it one snake only? Is there a head snake?

The snakes seem to stop.

We are many but at the same time one.

Bob nods.

You're not going to try and eat me?

The snakes respond negatively.

We have no need for sustenance… our combined minds feed us.

Bob felt confused. Ever since he gained his intelligence, Bob knew that every living creature needed to eat to survive but this anomaly in front of him claims that it didn't need to eat.

Do you know why you're like that?

The snakes felt confused.

We have no recollection of the before.

Bob replies with a question.

Before?

The snakes immediately responded since they knew what before meant and its significance.

Before the awakening.

Bob didn't know what the snakes meant but he was starting to feel annoyed calling them just snakes.

Can I call you something else?

Why? Is the word snakes not a proper name to call us?

It is but there are other nameless snakes out there.

Ah… one to differentiate us from the others.

Yes!

Then, I accept.

What about blacky?

Ah, because of my dark scales?

Bob smiles a bit.

Yeah! Blacky it is.

Blacky’s snake bodies collectively nod.

Acceptable.

Bob felt satisfied. It was the first time he named something.

Now, it is our turn to ask a question.

Bob looks at Blacky with expectation. He didn't expect to be asked a question.

How did you awaken?